Hockey Bros Book 2: Charlie by Beth Bolden

 

Hockey Bros Book 2

There’s nothing Charlie Barnes has wanted more than to play hockey with his brothers. Avery, Charlie and Ethan have been dreaming about uniting the Barnes brothers on one team since they were barely old enough to hold a hockey stick.

When Avery’s traded to the Bandits mid-season, it should be the happiest day of Charlie’s life. Charlie loves having his big brother around again, but not everything is roses and sunshine.

Charlie’s best friend Max—and the guy he’s secretly been in love with since his rookie season—is suddenly challenged by the team, the media and the fans to step up and be better leadership material than the newest Barnes addition. Everyone’s tired of the Bandits losing and the big trade means that winning is no longer optional.

Being captain of the New York Bandits isn’t always easy, but Max Meier loves it. Loves the team and his teammates enough to give up his dreams of playing hockey in his native Germany.

But there’s nobody he loves more than Charlie Barnes. He never dreamt Charlie might return his feelings, until a leaked video makes it crystal clear Charlie feels the same.

It’s a challenge, navigating the intense politics of a hockey team, even without the big brother of your unrequited crush hovering over your shoulder.

This time, though, Max is determined to ace every test, score the goal, and win Charlie, once and for all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251815679-charlie

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Reading the first book in this series, when it came to Max and Charlie your first thoughts are definitely, “Wait, what do you mean they’re not together?!” Makes zero sense when you see how those two are with one another on and off the ice. And we are finally getting some answers and a much deserved happily ever after for these two! Charlie clearly has feelings for his best friend, Max. And apparently, it was mutual. Three years ago, Max told Charlie how he felt, but Charlie lied through his teeth after being convinced that being with a teammate was a bad idea and that his priority should be hockey. So he broke both their hearts and they remained friends. But at the same time, Charlie may have been caught on video with his friends and brothers admitting how he really felt about Max. A video that he thought was long gone. Until now. Three years later, the video resurfaces and this time, Max sees it. He knows that Charlie lied. And this time, he isn’t going to let Charlie go without a fight. But can Charlie finally let himself be happy? To let go of what scares him the most? Guess you will have to find out! Oof! These two! Prepare for some angst kicking off this story while you try to rein in your feelings about shaking Charlie so he can see sense! Lucky for us, his brothers are on it. I adored these two and it is so clear how much they love one another and always have. The only surprising thing about their feelings coming out is that they haven’t been together all this time. Both have a lot going on and a lot to work through, but together? They can overcome anything. And I loved seeing them find their way to one another. Great, great story! And I’m pumped to see how Avery gets his own happy ending next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Redemption Road Book 3: Joyride by DJ Jamison

 

Redemption Road Book 3

They call me Joyride because it’s what got me sent to prison. But it only reminds me of all the pain I’ve caused…

Two days after my eighteenth birthday I stole my parents car and went joyriding. I was mad at my dad, freaked out about my sexuality, and hurt that my best friend was dating someone who wasn’t me. 

I was reckless. Driving too fast. Heedless of the rain. Crying.

The car spun out of control and crashed into another vehicle, changing the course of two lives forever.

Five years later, I’m out of prison and finally at peace with being gay. I’ve got a good group of guys at Redemption Road who are focused on moving forward. But I can’t. All I can see is Dakota Willis, the other driver, paralyzed because of my actions.

When I run into Kit, my hot hookup from Omaha—a physical therapist who seems interested—I think this might be my moment to look forward instead of back.

Then I discover he’s Dakota’s brother. It’s over before it started. But if I can’t be with him, I can at least face Dakota again. Tell her I’m sorry. Try to make amends. 

If Kit hates me, I deserve it. If he uses me for his pleasure, I’ll serve as long as he wants. I’ve hurt these people, and I should hurt too.

Even if I’m starting to love them…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253757389-joyride

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s finally Joey’s turn! I’ve been looking forward to his story for a while. Joey joined the Redemption Road program after being in prison for five years. Back when he was eighteen, he went out for a drive on a rainy day and ended up in an accident that paralyzed the driver in the car he hit. And because his parents called the cops to say that Joey stole their car to teach him a lesson, he ended up in jail. He knows he deserved it. His actions hurt someone and it’s something he has to live with everyday. What he never expected though was the man he hit it off with and hooked up with at a club outside of town, would be the brother of the woman he hurt. He knows he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. He’s not looking for it. He just wants to make some sort of amends to Dakota and now her brother, Kit. Kit was so happy to run into the guy he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it. That is until he found out Joey was the man that hurt his sister. His sister may be willing to forgive Joey, especially as she gets to know him, but Kit isn’t sure he can do it. His heart disagrees. Because every day he sees Joey, the more he gets to know him and it’s telling him that Joey is a good man. But can he truly let go of the past? I loved their story!!! This was just so good. Joey had such a journey. Beyond trying to make amends, he really needed to learn to forgive himself a bit too. I loved that these two were able to get to know one another and work their way to a place that allowed them to truly fall for one another. This may be my favorite of the series so far! And I can’t wait for the next one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wood Hollow Stories Book 3: Mountain Man by Lane Hayes

 

Wood Hollow Stories Book 3

The police chief, the lumberjack, and a new start…

Reg

I don’t usually hand out tickets, but the new lumberjack isn’t barreling into town on my watch. We take law and order seriously in the Four Forest area. And yes, okay…I’m a little curious about the mountain man.

Waylon is funny, charming, cool, and confident, and like it or not, I’m attracted to him.

Reality check: I’m also a single dad juggling stressful family issues and a high-profile job. My schedule doesn’t leave much room for extracurricular activities.

But a temporary, no-strings fling? Yeah…that could be interesting.

Waylon

I should be irked about getting pulled over. I mean, c’mon. I wasn’t going that fast.

Thing is…I’ll take any excuse that puts me in the police chief’s orbit. Reg is a quintessential silver fox. Seriously. He’s also a good man, a great dad, and a cool human. I like him, and I love Wood Hollow, but at the end of my contract, I’m heading home. My family needs me.

In the meantime, there’s no crime against having some fun. And it’s not as if I’m gonna develop feelings, or—

Too late.

Mountain Man is an MM bisexual small-town romance featuring Wood Hollow’s silver fox police chief, the new lumberjack, and some single-dad shenanigans.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/255290245-mountain-man

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Waylon has moved to Wood Hollow to take on a new job for the next eight months. Too bad he starts off by being pulled over by the chief of police. Though is it so bad when he’s really handsome? And despite what could have been a rocky start between them, it is anything but. The attraction between them is strong and when they give in to it, sparks ignite in ways neither saw coming. For Reg, he’s a divorced single dad juggling to take care of his kids, his job, and handling his dad’s dementia diagnosis. A real relationship isn’t in the cards and it hasn’t been for a while. So why does he find time to spend with Waylon? Why does it feel like coming home to him more often than not? They have a deadline. Waylon won’t be staying in Wood Hollow when his contract is done. Yet neither of their hearts got the memo. I loved Waylon and Reg’s story! These two are so insistent that they are friends and that what they have can only ever be just a hook up with a deadline. Yet, the more they get to know one another, the harder these two fall for each other. It’s clear they’ve never felt like this with anyone before. I loved how their relationship developed throughout the story and when they finally get their happily ever after. Just a great story all around in the fun town of Wood Hollow!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Creepin U Season 2 Book 4: Anchored to You by Ashley Rayne

 

Creepin U Season 2 Book 4

Beck

This year at Creepin U, I only have three priorities: get through my classes, play baseball, and work enough to make money for school. I don't have time for distractions, drama, and especially not hookups. Then I find out my new roommate is the one person I never expected to see again, and I know I'm screwed. After ghosting Talon last year, I told myself it was nothing more than a hookup. And it wasn't. I had too much going on back then, and I have even more going on now. But living with him makes forgetting impossible. We're sharing a small space, and the more time I spend with him, the more I want a second chance to prove I'm not the guy he thinks I am.

Talon

Getting ghosted hurts. But getting ghosted by the person who’s your new roommate is worse. But he doesn’t need to know that, so I lie. I tell him that night meant nothing and that I’ve moved on. But when he comes back asking for another night together, I can’t help but agree. No feelings, no expectations, only hooking up. But the more I try to prove to him and myself that it means nothing, the harder it is to ignore my feelings. Maybe the biggest mistake wasn’t hooking up again? Maybe it was believing that we could do it again without catching feelings.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252828524-anchored-to-you

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Last year, sparks flew between Beck and Talon and led to an amazing night together. But then reality hit Beck with just how hard the school year was going to be. Between classes and studying, baseball, and working, he had no time. And in the chaos he ended up ghosting Talon. Not cool. Beck felt terrible about it and still thinks of Talon despite them never running into one another on campus. But with the new school year, he is sure that once again, he’ll have time for nothing. But then he finds out who his new roommate it… Talon. And while it may be awkward at first, it also makes Beck wonder if he could have a second chance. Meanwhile, Talon was definitely hurt by Beck ignoring him. No one likes to be ghosted by someone they thought they had a connection with. Then fate brings them back together as roommates. Talon doesn’t want his heart to be smashed again. So he’ll do his best to act like their night together wasn’t anything special. And when Beck suggests they hook up again, Talon only has so much willpower. Especially when they get to know one another more. But can he risk his heart again if nothing has truly changed? This is a second chance story for Beck and Talon! There was definitely a connection between these two and I was glad to see they got another chance. Especially after learning that Beck wasn’t an actual jerk and knew he messed up. These two just really needed to be upfront and honest about how they felt! And it was so satisfying to see when they finally took a leap. Another great book in this series for sure!

 I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Desert Elite Hockey Book 3: Saving the Play by Christie Gordon

 

Desert Elite Hockey Book 3

I was supposed to protect my net—not fall for the defenseman who once left me behind.

Philippe

I trained all summer for this.

Fixed my smile. Cleaned up my English. Built my body, sharpened my game, and pushed every doubt aside.

This year, I’ll prove I belong in the NHL.

Then Jacob Buchey walks back into my locker room.

My old defenseman. My best friend. The man I kissed three years ago before he left Montreal and we disappeared from each other’s lives.

He’s supposed to protect my net, not wreck my focus.

But every familiar smile, every stolen touch, every heated glance drags me back to the one man I never really got over.

And when I see someone else wanting him, something in me snaps.

Because Jacob was almost mine once.

This time, I don’t know how to let him go.

Jacob

Arizona was supposed to be my fresh start.

A new team. A safer locker room. A chance to stop hiding who I am.

Then I see Philippe again.

Older. Stronger. Still the goalie who knew me better than anyone—and still the man I regret leaving behind.

I tell myself I came here for hockey.

But every road trip, every secret kiss, every moment alone with him proves that’s a lie.

Philly is fighting for his NHL dream.

I’m trying to survive the grief I buried after losing my father.

And whatever this is between us could cost more than either of us is ready to risk.

But when Philly looks at me like I’m the only man he wants to save…

I start believing our second chance might be worth everything.

Saving the Play is book 3 in the Desert Elite Hockey series. It features a determined goalie, the defenseman who never stopped wanting him, friends-to-lovers tension, second-chance longing, bisexual awakening, secret romance, teammates on the road, emotional healing, and an MM hockey romance where protecting the net is easy compared to protecting their hearts.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253633639-saving-the-play

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Philippe has worked hard all summer to prove to the Coyotes that he belongs on their team. He’s ready for the NHL, he just needs a chance. But then Jacob walks into their locker room. Jacob, his closest friend who kissed him three years ago before leaving Montreal. After that they never reached out to one another, afraid what the kiss meant. But with Jacob here, they are going to have to talk about it. Especially that he has Philippe questioning everything he feels for Jacob. Meanwhile, Jacob has regretted the way he left things with Philly. But in that time he has realized a lot about himself. And seeing Philly again? He also realizes how much he missed him and still has feelings for him. The two of them pick up their friendship with ease but now there is a new tension to it. And it’s only a matter of time before they realize that they are meant to be so much more than just friends. Another fun story in this series! It’s clear just how much these two mean to one another and they deserve a second chance to figure that out together. Looking forward to seeing who’s story is next.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Van Doren Book 11: Myro by Crea Reitan

 

Van Doren Book 11

Never get too comfortable or what you life might disappear.

For the past twenty years, the Van Doren Estate has been peaceful. Growing families, a thriving empire, a happy life. That all changes when a bus filled with our students from Van Doren Prep fails to return from a field trip. 

My wife, oldest son, youngest daughter, nieces, nephews, and several children we teach are on that bus. Last week, I'd have said I've already faced every fear imaginable. But when Voss’ computer program can’t locate them, terror like I've never experienced before sets in. 

For the first time in two decades, we’re racing a clock to save the lives that belong to us. Everything is on the line.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/258468361-myro

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I believe we reached the end of the Van Doren series! Well, at least for this generation’s stories. As we know the kids of these guys have their own books and that is on going. And what better way to end than with Myro and Jessica? We’ve seen this couple throughout the series. And instead of going back to the beginning of their story, we are jumping to the future. It’s a real slice of life story with of course an end that is strictly Van Doren when things go wrong and someone is in need of a rescue! But before that we get to see how Myro and Jessica’s lives have played out since they fell in love. We see their family and those they love families as well. Two decades have passed since the start of the series and I loved every minute of it. I especially loved that we got a Jessica and Myro story. We needed it after getting everyone else’s and I was curious to see their dynamic. It was very them and perfect. And I loved seeing everyone’s families and how much they have grown in more ways than one. Just an overall wonderful way to end this great series! And I can’t wait to read more of the next generation as they grow up!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Camp Half-Blood Book 1: The Wild Zone by Rick Riordan & Annabelle Oh

 

Camp Half-Blood Book 1

Ever wonder what goes on at Camp Half-Blood in between Percy Jackson’s legendary quests? Find out in the start of a new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rick Riordan and an all-star team of coauthors!

In book one, five newbie demigods dare to enter Camp Half-Blood’s forbidden Wild Zone, unleashing ancient curses, bloodthirsty monsters—and a fight to survive.

Katie Kim may be a newcomer to Camp Half-Blood, but even she knows they weren’t supposed to be running through the Wild Zone—the forest is off-limits to campers and staff. Why, then, did Clarisse, head counselor of the Ares cabin, take her and four other newbies there in the dark of night and tell them to race back to camp by morning?

Clarisse’s threat was scary enough, but when Katie’s half-brother Grant goes missing, his disappearance sparks the arrival of vicious monsters and a mysterious curse. It’s up to Katie and the three remaining newbies—the Wild Omada—to brave the Wild Zone again and uncover its dark and deadly secrets.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249084568-the-wild-zone

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s always so much fun returning to the World of Percy Jackson. And what was even more fun of when this story took place. I assumed it was going to be our latest in the timeline. But nope! It actually takes place between The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters. Time to find out exactly what was going on at camp during the school year after Percy returned home from his quest. This is just beginning of this series with some new characters. Leading us off is Katie Kim. After an Ares hazing goes wrong, Katie loses her friend in the Wild Zone, a very dangerous part of the forest that no one is supposed to enter. Katie and a few campers were taken there by Clarisse to escape from. But someone didn’t come back. Katie’s half-brother, another son of Ares, Grant. Katie is determined to find him. But turns out there is a lot about that section of the woods that no one knows about. And soon Grant isn’t the only one that eventually goes missing. This was such a fun story overall. And that ending! Definitely leaves us wanting to know more. We see so many familiar faces of characters we loved and lost later in the series, so it was fun to see them again. We get some new faces that I’m excited to learn more about. And it’s just interesting to see how things are going right before the war against Kronos truly blows up. It’s the early days of wondering what exactly is going to happen next. I’m definitely excited to see where this series takes us.